FIRST FRIDAY Experience an Authentic Missoula Evening

Join us in Downtown Missoula for First Fridays!  Held on the first Friday of every month, businesses showcase an important part of the heart and soul of our community – art! Experience an authentic Missoula evening as you stroll along Downtown’s historic streets where art galleries and local businesses open their doors to feature stunning art exhibits, live music, and special events.

You can also savor exclusive deals and specials at Downtown’s unique retailers and restaurants, making it a perfect night out for friends, families, and art enthusiasts alike. Don’t miss this opportunity to support local artists, enjoy fantastic food, shop at our retailers, and immerse yourself in the creative spirit that makes Downtown Missoula so special.

 

First Friday Special Happenings:

*for more First Friday happenings, visit missoulaevents.org or download the Arts Missoula Directory from Arts Missoula to get First Friday schedules, peruse artistic resources, check out the guide to local artists, and more!

August 2026
  • 4 Ravens Gallery (216 N. Higgins): watercolor collection by local birder and painter Mary Oelschlaeger. “Come Fly with Me” features bird portraits inspired by local sightings of our feathered friends, painted from original photographs by Mary or her birding friends. Stop by and enjoy an infatuation that started innocently enough, with a Town Birding Event sponsored by Five Valleys Audubon Society. Event starts at 5pm.
  • Artists’ Shop (127 N. Higgins): Opening reception for Pathways Through Nature by Meghan Hanson. This show features woodcut landscapes using reclaimed wood and acrylic paint that illustrate how humans and the natural world are intertwined. Event runs 5-8pm.
  • Cranky Sam Public House (233 W. Main): Get down to Cranky’s to fire up your First Friday! Come grab a drink, some grub, and a spot on the patio! Live music from Give It to Em Florabelle! Music begins at 7pm; open 11am-10pm.
  • FMC Books (123 W. Main): Join us for First Friday as we welcome local artist Emily Matsumurato FMC Books. Emily creates vibrant, cartoon-inspired artwork that transforms familiar people, places, and objects into bold, expressive pieces full of personality. Meet the artist, explore her colorful collection, and enjoy an evening of local art, romance books, and community. Admission is free…we’d love to see you there. Event runs 4-8pm.
  • Import Market (201 W. Broadway): Head upstairs to The Art Emporium for art by Lucia Schermerhorn, Zakkie Ciccone and friends, Rough Buffalo, and a Cigarette People Installation by Charlotte O’Brien. Fortune telling and tarot! Family friendly with snacks, karaoke, and music. Event runs 4-8pm.
  • Lake Missoula Tea Company (136 E. Broadway): Every month from 9-6 pm on First Friday, receive a double punch on your punch card!
  • Leaf + Quiet (235 N. 1st St. W – Suite F): Jazz off the Rails featuring University of Montana Jazz students who continue to hone in their skills in this Music Lab hosted by Leaf and Quiet. Event begins at 7pm.
  • Local Missoula Walking Tours: Save 50% on Missoula art and history audio tours! Partnering with First Friday, discounted sales start the Thursday before. Explore historic landmarks and vibrant murals at your own pace. Check out your options at localmissoulatours.com.
  • McCall Homes (259 W. Front): We’re excited to showcase some talented Hellgate High School artists and their interpretation of home. Come see their stunning work and get an early look inside our brand-new office and design studio. Stop by for light snacks, a drink, and a warm welcome. We can’t wait to celebrate with you! Event runs 4-8pm.
  • Missoula Children’s Theatre (200 N. Adams): We Will Rock You: young@part is an explosive, high-energy musical featuring Queen’s legendary music. Get ready to rock to more than 20 iconic Queen hits. Set in a post-apocalyptic future where individuality has been outlawed and music is controlled by algorithms, the story follows two young revolutionaries who dare to defy the system to save rock ‘n’ roll in this fist-pumping, foot-stomping story about freedom and self-expression. Performance at 7:30pm; additional performances on Saturday, August 8th. *tickets required
  • Missoula Makers Collective (112 W. Front): Big First Friday pop-up to celebrate $1 million in sales! Bird Brain Creations will be printing on clothing and Morning Star Textiles will be live-sewing patches on clothes, along with other makers hanging out in the store. Whoever makes the $1 millionth sales gets a $100. Event runs from 5-8pm.
  • Missoula Public Library (455 E. Main): Stephanie Stillo, Chief of Rare Books and Special Collections at the Library of Congress will discuss her work as a curator, interpreter, and promotor of the written word in the world’s largest library. Plus local prints and book art by Gastropod Press, Inkworm Press, Stray Dog Press, and more. Lecture and artists will be on the 4th floor of MPL downtown. Event runs 5-7pm.
  • Missoula Senior Center (705 S. Higgins): Friday Food Truck Pod featuring several local food trucks, the Missoula City Band, art, and more. Event begins at 5:30. *note: the food truck pod will be a weekly event every Friday through the summer.
  • Modern Pastime (160 E. Front): Enjoy an additional 20% off our Sales Rack for First Friday only! Open 9am-7pm.
  • Montana Antique Mall (331 W. Railroad): Complimentary drinks & apps, dealer discounts & extended hours! Open 10:30am-8:30pm.
  • Pearl Boba Tea (420 N. Higgins): We will be hosting a mini Asian market with 4 local vendors! We’ll be hosting Ping’s Asian Kitchen, O’Bay Ube, The Dumpling Fairy and Let’s Get Korean! Market runs 5-8pm; Open 10am-8pm.
  • Radius Gallery (120 N. Higgins): Meet your friends at Radius Gallery. Make it your first stop to view two fantastic shows featuring Missoula artists. In our sunny upstairs gallery, we’re featuring Dagny Walton, Jason Clark, and Katie Machain. Downstairs, a solo show by Lillian R. Nelson. Gallery open 11am-8pm.
  • Residence Inn (125 N. Pattee): Friends of 1356 is hosting a public historical exhibit featuring the Ron V. Nixon railroad photography collection from the Museum of the Rockies, and other local railroad artifacts. The exhibit celebrates Missoula’s railroad history and the former Missoula Mercantile Building. Event runs 4-9pm.
  • Run Wild Missoula (125 E. Main): Looking to make new connections? Whether you’re searching for a love match, a new best friend, or just someone to share miles with, Sole Mates is designed to bring people together in a fun and low-pressure way. Join us on the first Friday of every month at Caras Park for a relaxed 3.5-mile run followed by snacks and time to mingle. Afterward, you’re welcome to keep the night going and head off to other First Friday shenanigans with your new connections.
  • Sacred Ally (130 E. Broadway): Immerse yourself in an intimate evening of electronic music medicine with Sacred Ally’s Summer Concert Series featuring Random Rab, one of the most celebrated names in psychedelic electronic music. Opening the evening is Missoula’s own Mystic Wolf. Complement your musical journey with offerings from our Ceremonial Cacao Bar, featuring heart-opening cacao, cold drinks, and locally curated teas, crafted to warm the body and open the heart. Event begins at 7pm. *tickets required
  • The Clay Studio of Missoula (1106 Hawthorne): Exhibition North Country showcases work by Heather Lepp, an artist-in-residence at the Clay Studio of Missoula since 2024. North Country features functional ceramic vessels rooted in both beauty and practicality. Each vessel begins with the language of the landscape and the weathered imprint of time. Event starts at 5pm.
  • The Montana Scene (170 E. Front): Enjoy an additional 20% off our Sale Rack for First Friday only! Open 9am-7pm.
  • The Old Post (103 W. Spruce): Parking lot party! Featuring live music from Timber Rattlers, plus an outdoor bar and food. We’re turning the parking lot into a party again – come hang out, grab a drink, and celebrate First Friday with us. Music begins at 7pm.
  • The Roxy Theater (718 S. Higgins): Various showings of: CatVideoFest 2026; Paris, Texas
  • Tosca Olive Oils (137 E. Main): Snacks, wine, live music, 2x the loyalty points. Open 10am-8pm.
  • Union Club Bar & Grill (208 E. Main): Live music by Blue Collar Band starting at 9pm.
  • Zootown Arts Community Center (216 W. Main): Main Gallery: Art Harvest featuring featuring work by Luke Orsborne, Sage Friss, Courtney Blazon, David Miles Lusk, and Lukas Phelan. Blackfoot Gallery: I’m Dying and So Are You by Sadie Arnold. Show Room Concert featuring Andrea Harsell Band (starts at 7pm). Events begin at 5pm.

Downtown Galleries

 

Are you a local business or artist looking to participate in First Fridays? Here are some ways you can be a part of the First Friday magic.

  • Businesses: Are you a business looking to host an artist in your location? Connect with Arts Missoula at [email protected]
  • Artists: Are you an artist looking to get your art in a business? Connect with Arts Missoula at [email protected]
  • Members of the Missoula Downtown Association: Participate in any way that works for your business (stay open later, host a special pop-up event, host live music, etc.). For more info on how to participate, email [email protected] or submit your First Friday information HERE.
  • Host a parklet! Also known as pop-up parks, parklets convert on-street parking spaces into temporary people places in support of a friendly environment for people biking and walking. It’s free for Missoula businesses to host a First Friday Parklet so sign up today!  CLICK HERE to get more info and sign up via Missoula in Motion.